Kofun Period

300 - 552

A ruling aristocracy with close ties to Korea emerges during this period. Kofun, literally "old tomb," refers to tumuli, or mounded graves, built for the imperial family and other high-ranking aristocrats. These tombs were furnished with ceramic cups, bowls, iron armaments, bronze mirrors, and stone jewelry. Burial mounds were adorned with clay sculptures (haniwa) in the form of warriors, shamans, animals and birds. Made of simplified geometric forms with naively applied embellishments, haniwa possess a haunting immediacy and charm.